Newsmakers

Copyright 2004 Houston Chronicle News Services

Published
5:30 am CDT, Tuesday, June 8, 2004

Kidman to don fat suit for role

Svelte superstar Nicole Kidman will have to wear a fat suit to star in the upcoming movie version of The Producers -- because she's too slight for her buxom character. Kidman has been cast as Swedish secretary Ulla -- famous for her impressive bosoms -- alongside Matthew Broderick and Nathan Lane, who are carrying their roles over from the Broadway show. But The Producers producer Mel Brooks -- who directed the original movie -- is concerned Kidman's bust is too small. Broderick explains, "Mel says we'll pad her. I think we should pad her, I guess." But otherwise, the actor -- who also stars with Kidman in The Stepford Wives -- thinks she is perfect for the role. He said, "She could look like a Swede. She's psychotically tall, which I think will be good. I think it's a good part for her. I can't wait. I think she'll be great."

Graham released from hospital

Evangelist Billy Graham was released from an Asheville, N.C., hospital Monday after surgery for a broken pelvis he suffered in a fall, officials said. Graham, 85, had been recovering for more than two weeks at Mission Hospital. "He has made tremendous progress for a man his age," said Dr. Daniel Eglinton, one of the surgeons. "He has had no complications." Graham fell at his home last month. At the time, he was recovering from a partial hip replacement after he fell earlier this year in a hotel room in Jacksonville, Fla. Longtime family physician Dr. Lucian Rice described Graham as "mentally keen and very determined."

Baywatch star suspected in DWI

David Hasselhoff was arrested over the weekend on suspicion on driving while intoxicated, police said Monday. The former Baywatch star was arrested late Saturday night on Ventura Boulevard in the Encino section of the San Fernando Valley, said Officer Sara Faden, a police spokeswoman. He was released the next morning. No further details were immediately available. In 2002, Hasselhoff checked himself into the Betty Ford Center for treatment of alcoholism. The 51-year-old actor is best known for portraying lifeguard Mitch Buchannon in the long-running Baywatch TV series. He also starred in the 1980s television show Knight Rider.

The Australian rock band that belted out Highway to Hell could soon stroll down a lane named in their honor. The Melbourne City Council in Australia is considering renaming Corporation Lane, a narrow downtown alley, AC/DC Lane as a tribute to the band. "They are probably the most successful Australian band ever and they really do have a connection to Melbourne," Kimberly Kitching, city council services committee chairwoman, said Monday. One of the band's famous video clips, for the song Long Way to the Top, was filmed on the back of a truck on a Melbourne street. She said the council would make a decision on the name change within the next month, but it had already received broad community support. AC/DC already has a street named after it in Madrid.

`Old fogey' Kingston axed from ER

LONDON -- Alex Kingston says she's being axed from ER for being too old.

The British actress, who plays Dr. Elizabeth Corday on the long-running NBC medical drama, said she was told recently that after seven years on the show, her contract will not be renewed.

The 41-year-old Kingston said the program is increasingly focused on young characters, "and apparently I, according to the producers and the writers, am part of the old fogeys who are no longer interesting."

"In that respect, it's a shame. It's fine to have young med students, but you need to have figures of authority, people of different ages, races, shapes and sizes," she said.

Kingston said being let go "was a shock and obviously upsetting, but it's just your ego that's upset. Then I got over it."

The actress said she plans to return to Britain for film and television work.

"Scariness comes from not knowing whether I can do it anymore because I've been playing one role for so long," she said.